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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30.2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Freshman learn collegiate homecoming traditions
CALLIE BYRNES
cbyrnes@kansan.com
As homecoming nears, organizations on campus prepare their chalk murals and parade floats. Most upperclassmen are used to the hustle and bustle of the pre-homecoming events, but freshmen can get lost in the whirlwind of college tradition. It may lead them to ask: what exactly is homecoming?
"I don't really know what to expect from homecoming," said Brandon Tomas, a freshman from Wichita. "I didn't even know there was one. I guess I expect food and
dancing and some kind of entertainment."
Another freshman, Sanjay Parashar from Overland Park, also isn't sure exactly what events homecoming week will hold.
"Is there a dance?" Parashar asked. "Is there homecoming royalty? I've actually been to a couple homecoming games in Arkansas, so I kind of know the football aspect of it. I'm excited to see the student perspective."
"When I was a freshman, I didn't really know what it was going to be," said Emily Poppe, a senior from Omaha. Neb. "I didn't understand the magnitude of the whole week. When I participated in the parade and saw all of the events they did throughout the week. I was blown away and realized I wasn't in high school anymore."
For those who have not experienced a college homecoming, it's a common misconception that there's a traditional dance like in many high schools.
Sierra Franklin, a senior from Wichita, agreed with Poppe. She said she hadn't had any idea what she was getting into during her first University homecoming, but she wished she had been more involved during her freshman year.
"My advice would be to just enjoy
ny. Franklin said. "If you happen to meet alums during the weekend, embrace them and gain some of their knowledge and experience because they've been in our spots as students before and they have a little insight of what life is like after the hill."
But just a tip, don't walk on the chalk'n rock murals unless you want a bunch of people glaring at you. People are serious about their chalking. Other than that, just have fun and find all of the reasons why you love this university."
—Edited by Paige Lytle
One of the first opportunities for freshmen to learn KU traditions and join the crowd is the homecoming game on Oct. 5.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
ROCK CHALK
Campus pride: 101 reasons to love being a Jayhawk
Students share their favorite things about campus, community
CHRISTINE STANWOOD
cstanwood@kansan.com
1. Lauren Longbine, Junior. AN-
DREW WIGGINS.
2. Kathryn Elizabeth, Senior.
Those football pants, though.
3. Spencer Scheve, Junior.
"Environment."
4. Madison Wolfe, sophomore Tradition!
5. Carolyn Exhine, Sophomore:
I go there.
6. Blane Brungardt, sophomore:
Have you met me? Oh... and the amazing people and diversity.
7. Haley McKee, Alumni Nothing beats the feeling right before tip off in Allen Fieldhouse.
8. Carrie Nickles O'Hern, Alumni A. I'm an alumni B. BASKETBALL. C. Campus D. Rock Chalk Chant How cool is that?
9. Max Cedergreen, Senior: The sense of community, family and
overall enjoyment of being associated with the best college in the Midwest.
10. Brett Boresow, Senior: We're not at Mizzou or KSU.
11. Chelsea Ryan Anderson, junior. It's Mr. Bingman's alma mater
12. Sally Thompson, Junior: The traditions, it's one of a kind mascot, our campus rocks, our basketball team's the shit.
13. Brienne Leigh Kelly, Junior:
The friendships I have made!
14. Amanda Winkler, Senior: Chi Omega.
15. Katie Hoeler, Junior: The yogurt parfaits at the Hawk Stop.
16. Shelby Turpen, Junior; Chick-fil-a in the underground.
17. Allie Welch, Junior: best campus in the world, great study abroad opps, cool fountains (ex: ch omega's)
18. Victoria Ambrosio, Junior:
School Spirit
24. Ryan Hughes, Junior: Because Lawrence is the best city in Kansas
23. Dustin Frederick Pickett Junior: International pride!
22. Phillip McGruder, Junior:
Tradition!
26. Alex Salvato, Junior: The laise-sefa approach to dealing with underage drinking
27. Chelsea Koksal, Junior: It's great to be a Jayhawk because it's
25. Bergen Bartram, Senior; Cuzzzz the wheel is here
21. Rhamon Rae, Junior: The pride and tradition consume your Rock Chalk!
19. Erica Hernly, Junior: An amazing atmosphere where every different kind of person will feel at home, welcome, and excited to be a Jawhawk
20. Alex Jaumann, Junior: Cuz we're the best at basketball. Duh
Monday Sept.30
JAYHAWKS AROUND THE WORLD HOMECOMING 2013
**Friday**
Pancakes ($5 per person)
**Oct. 4**
Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
Late Night in the Phog
Saturday Ex.C.E.L. Award Presentation Oct. 5 KU vs. Texas Tech football game Ex.C.E.L. and Homecoming Awards
**Thursday**
**Oct. 3**
Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive
Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
Homecoming Parade
Homecoming Pep Rally
Wednesday Mural Contest Oct. 2 Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus Homecoming Food Fest featuring Jayhawk Jingles
Tuesday Chalk n' Rock Oct.1 Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus 3 vs. 3 Basketball Semifinals/Finals Jayhawk Jingles Dress Rehearsals Glow KU Judging
Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive
Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament
Wescoe Beach
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Student Rec Fitness Center
Alumni Center
KU Campus/Lawrence Community
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Student Rec Fitness Center
Wescoe Beach
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Alumni Center
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
5-11 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
5-9 p.m.
6-8 p.m.
7 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
6-9 p.m.
Alumni Center
KU Campus
Massachusetts Street
8th and New Hampshire Street
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
6 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
Alumni Center Parking Lot KU Campus Allen Fieldhouse
Alumni Center Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium
9 a.m. - Noon
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
2 hours before kickoff TBA halftime presentation
28. Laura Hoefer, Sophomore: The furlong
29. Brent Bergauer, Senior. The tradition, location, and opportunities. It's a great place to be.
known all around the world! Complete strangers will smile & tell you "Rock Chalk!"
30. Shelby Lemon, Junior: We have the same colors of America.
31. Holly Lafferty, Senior: Were one of a kind.
32. Michael LaVanier, Junior:
I love the Schol halls and the
awesome community it offers. Also
walking on campus during the day
and seeing all the crimson and blue.
37. India Cobinia, sophomore: The fact that I'm in a place where tradition is extremely important and I'm around people who have the same energy as me about being a Jayhawk.
39. All Oguz, freshman! I like the buildings and there are nice girls.
Don't tell my girlfriend
33. Brody Willard, Senior; I love the diverse culture and wide range of people that give this university such a unique experience.
35. Patty Noland, Career Development Coordinator for the School of Journalism. I get to interact with students, faculty and staff who care about learning and each other.
34. Brendan O'Farrell, Junior: Campus is nice in the fall.
40. Thomas Row, Freshman:
Track.
36. Mohammad Alhajeri, freshman: Jayhawk anthems!
38. Dakota Hamelund, sophomore: I like the environment, just being on campus and meeting a whole bunch of new people.
41. Nick White, Freshman: Basketball.
42. Yair Trejo, freshman: Place is awesome. Teachers are good, people are nice.
43. Daniel Christopher, freshman. The diversity, see my friends all the time.
44. Theresa Signorino, sophomore: The campus is beautiful, the people are great, the food is great, and the environment is happy.
45. Collins Uwagba, Senior; KU basketball. I came here and I didn't know that much about basketball, but KU basketball is a huge deal here. I love it.
46. Kwasi Porterhill, sophomore:
This is the coolest campus I I've been to. I'm from California and I have to say I love KU. Kansas Basketball is the greatest.
47. Tucker Borel, sophomore: Basketball, academics, and campus.
48. Garrett Holm, Junior: Magnificantley unique impulsive
49. Emily Madden, Junior; You can be awkward here
50. Ashu Agarwal, Freshman: Great Science department
52. Candice L'Euver, sophomore: There are so many opportunities available here. Not just get a degree but to be placed in a workplace environment where you can get the most out of your education here.
53. Devin Ridder, Junior; Waving the wheat at every basketball game
51. Raymond Yang, Freshman: We have a lot of culture here.
54. Anna Sabatini, Junior; Basket ball is definitely the best reason to be a jayhawk.
55. Chinyere Okoronkwo, Senior:
I feel like you can't be anything. If you're not a Jayhawk, you're doing it wrong.
56. Alex Lazar, Graduate Student. It's got a great community. All the students are hard working.
57. Paul Quigley, Junior: My parents met here and it's a family legacy.
58. Brianna Brown, sophomore:
We have the best mascot!
60. Mitch Mollica, sophomore:
I wouldn't go to school anywhere else.
59. Jessie Schons, freshman; I'm a fifth generation Jayhawk, I've bled it ever since I was a kid. I'm just glad to be here and everything's awesome.
61. Brendan Palaherty, sophomore: I love this campus and all the people. I enjoy all the food choices like Chic-fil-a in the underground.
62. Megan Dunmire, Senior: KU Basketball
63. Kathy Nguyen, Junior, Campus is beautiful and basketball is great.
64. Alexander Turkowski, Junior:
It rains, it snow, there's weather. We
have an amazing athletic depart-
ment. Our faculty is pretty great.
THE
Other Reasons:
65. Wang Burger from the Wheel.
67. The view from the top of the Oread.
66. Knowing that gaining the freshman 15 is not doable with all the hills on campus.
69. Pizza Shuttle at 2 a.m.
68. Paul Rudd's a Jayhawk
70. Skipping class during the final four.
71. Getting to live with 40 of my closest friends.
72. The feeling after watching the basketball pump up video.
73. Chest bumping Big jay.
74. The lookout from the campanile over the football stadium.
75. Going to school where your parents met.
76. Hearing the Steam whistle blow as your walking on campus.
77. Knowing that campus looks beautiful through every season
SEE REASONS PAGE15